Restrictive eating, but not binge eating or purging, predicts suicidal ideation in adolescents and young adults with low-weight eating disorders

Abstract

Objective: This study examined the relationship between eating-disorder behaviors—including restrictive eating, binge eating, and purging—and suicidal ideation. We hypothesized that restrictive eating would significantly predict suicidal ideation, beyond the effects of binge eating/purging. Methods: Participants were 82 adolescents and young adults with low-weight eating disorders. We conducted a hierarchical logistic regression, with binge eating and purging in Step 1 and restrictive eating in Step 2, to predict suicidal ideation. Results: Step 1 was significant (p =.01) and explained 20% variance in suicidal ideation; neither binge eating nor purging significantly predicted suicidal ideation. Adding restrictive eating in Step 2 significantly improved the model (ΔR2 =.07, p =.009). This final model explained 27% of the variance, and restrictive eating (but not binge eating/purging) significantly predicted suicidal ideation (p =.02). Discussion: Restrictive eating is associated with suicidal ideation in youth with low-weight eating disorders, beyond the effects of other eating-disorder behaviors. Although healthcare providers may be more likely to screen for suicidality in patients with binge eating and purging, our findings indicate clinicians should regularly assess suicide and self-injury in patients with restrictive eating. Future research examining how individuals progress from suicidal ideation to suicidal attempts can further enhance our understanding of suicide in eating disorders.